Prime Rib is Healthy American Cuisine

Red meat gets a bad rap. There’s quite a lot of controversy surrounding the subject, which makes it a fascinating topic of discussion for Montana Jack’s steakhouse, especially considering we love selling and eating our steak. So, we figured we’d weigh in on the debate, and offer our two cent on the matter, with a few facts on our side to even things out. After all, we don’t want you feeling any guilt when you check out the prime cut of Prime Rib Steak (red meat) on our menu.

Red Meat is a Stayhold of American Cuisine

It’s not only American’s favorite entree, though. Throughout the entirety of evolution, in fact, populations like the Inuit and Masai ate lots of meat and remained in excellent health. Our digestive systems as humans are well-equipped to process the food and enjoy it. The main arguments that they hold against red meat are that the animals that early humans ate and the ones we eat now are entirely different, which affects the health factors involved with the meat. The claim is that the animals we were eating as the human race grew and evolved were mostly free-range, eating bugs and grass and not much else. Their hypothesis is that the meat from this animal is different in nature from that of a cow born and raised in a factory setting. This factory cow was grain-fed and most likely received growth hormones. However, all of this is null and void if you’re buying premium cuts.

Classifying Meat

You’ll want to watch out for “processed meat” specifically. But, it’s important to keep in mind that meat manufacturers are becoming more and more conscious of what they’re putting out. This is limited only to sausage and bacon because of the amount of preservatives that are put into them. Red meat is going to be, generally speaking, unprocessed. You’ll identify it as having a red center when it’s raw, and includes mainly lamb, beef, and pork. White meat consists of poultry, like chicken and turkey. Then, there’s grass-fed, organic meat. These animals were raised “organically,” implying they weren’t fed grains, or hormones. With all of this in mind, it’s important to acknowledge that not all meats are created equally. That’s why, here at Montana Jack’s, we proudly serve Certified Angus Beef for all of our burgers and steaks—because it makes a difference in taste, quality, and the health of our customers.

Nutritional Value

It’s undeniable that red meat is one of the most nutrient-dense foods. One-hundred grams of red meat, or 3.5 ounces of raw ground beef, holds vitamin B3, vitamin B12 (which is inaccessible in plant foods), vitamin B6, iron, zinc, and selenium. Those are only the major nutrients—there is much more that red meat provides for the body. For example, as a complex protein, your body has to work harder to break down, keeping you fuller longer. The major deficiency you see in non-meat eaters is a lack of Creatine and Carnosine, which are directly tied to muscle and brain function.

The Health Studies

Red meat is what scientists call a “correlating factor” in regard to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This is a result of something that’s called an “observational study” which can actually only measure correlations. In this case, if the people who were diagnosed with these diseases did something like eat only ice cream and also red meat, then they’d attribute both of this things as correlating factors. These kinds of studies are actually incapable of proving causation because there are missing pieces of the equation, which can be genetics, past health issues, hormone changes, and even pregnancy. In fact, in larger observational studies of higher quality, the supposed effects of red meat actually diminish. As a specific example, a compilation study of 20 separate studies that included around one million people concluded that while processed meat specifically pointed toward a higher chance of both cardiovascular disease and diabetes, there were no conclusions drawn about the incorporation of red meats. Essentially, if you aren’t eating much processed meat, you’re much safer. Red meats and processed meats are totally different things and have different health risks.

So when you’re busy pondering that juicy steak on your menu, or smelling those sizzling burgers on our grill here at Montana Jack’s steakhouse, relax. You’re not going to suddenly develop cancer, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes from partaking in a little taste-bud joy. In regard to the conflicting studies on red meat’s effects on the body, just follow the rule of everything in moderation.

If you’re looking for a quality dining experience where you can partake in some of that sinfully delicious red meat, think of Montana Jack’s. After dinner, be sure to try your hand in our casino—after all, that Creatine and Carnosine just made your brain bigger, so you’ll definitely be able to outsmart those machines for fun.